Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hawai'i Leads New Mexico State 5-4

A home run in the top of the sixth had given the first-place Aggies a 4-3 lead in Hawai'i, but the Rainbow Wahine got a two-run blast of their own in the bottom of the sixth and now lead 5-4.


Hawai'i has won, and for the fourth time this season, Boise State is in first place.  New Mexico State must win the second game of the doubleheader to tie Boise State for first.  No matter what happens, the winner of the series next week will win the regular season title.

Handful of Top Performances for Boise State Track Team

Boise State's track team won several events against lesser competition today at Bronco Stadium, a few will serve them well in the upcoming WAC Track Championships.

Racquel Jones ran an 11.74 100, good for the third best time in the WAC this season, while teammate Destiny Gammage was clocked in 11.84, which is the fourth fastest time in the 100 meters.  They are the only Bronco women to record marks that will be competitive at the WAC Championships.

On the men's side, Rolando Trammel won both the 110 and 400-meter hurdles this afternoon.  Trammel's 110-meter time of 14.13 is second best in the WAC.  He crossed the tape first in the 400 in 52.75, but his 52.47 earlier this year leads the conference.  Justin Malnes (14.34) has the third-best time in the 110 hurdles, while Carrie Butler's time of 47.80 in the 400 also ranks third in the WAC.  Chase Sexton improved upon his discus mark this season (177-2) but he's going to need more than that to best perennial WAC champion Larry Jones of Louisiana Tech.  Jones has Sexton beat by nearly 9 feet.

Boise State Head Coach J.W Hardy will have to get his group going in the next two weeks before the WAC Championships in Honolulu.  The men are seeded third while the Bronco women are projected to finish last. 

Boise State Men Lose to Fresno State 4-3

This is a rubber match of the day in some respects.  This afternoon, Fresno State squeaked out a 4-3 win over Boise State to win the WAC women's tennis title.  Later, Boise State's softball team completed a three-game sweep of Fresno State with a 12-9 win.


This is the third time today that the two rivals have met.


Boise State gave a game effort but could not overcome the depth of the Fresno State team, losing 4-3 to the Bulldogs and ending their season.


Here is how it happened.


Boise State has lost the doubles point but won two singles matches.  Still, Fresno won the opening set in three of the six matches, which is all they need to do to advance.  The Broncos need a comeback somewhere.


Update:  Mullen and Sereke did both come back in the second set but Sears went down despite playing a great first set.  Thus, the match is tie at 2.  Fresno is now going to come charging full steam ahead, realizing that they have a match on their hands.  If Boise State can play through it, the match could get interesting in the third sets.  The Broncos need to win 2 of the remaining 3 singles matches.


Mullen was able to win but when Sereke lost 8-6 in the tiebreaker of the third set, was it enough to break the Broncos' backs?  Now Boise State must rely on a freshman to decide the match.  


Maybe when Bettles is a senior, he'll remember this day.  Andrew gave it a battle but came up a little short.





Fresno State 4, Boise State 3
Apr 30, 2011 at Boise, Idaho (Appleton Outdoor Tennis Center) 

Singles competition
1. Damian Hume (BSU) def. Rikus de Villiers (FS) 6-2, 6-3
2. Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Andrew Bettles (BSU) 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
3. Jean-Charles Diame (FS) def. Scott Sears (BSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
4. Filipp Pogostkin (BSU) def. Francis Alcantara (FS) 6-3, 6-3
5. Nick Papac (FS) def. Nathan Sereke (BSU) 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-6 (8-6)
6. Jeff Mullen (BSU) def. David Ayoun (FS) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3


Doubles competition
1. Rikus de Villiers/Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Damian Hume/Scott Sears (BSU) 8-3
2. Francis Alcantara/Jean-Charles Diame (FS) def. Jeff Mullen/Nathan Sereke (BSU) 8-5
3. Andrew Bettles/Filipp Pogostkin (BSU) def. David Ayoun/Siddharth Alapati (FS) 8-1





WAC Men's Tennis Tournament

#2 seed New Mexico State has defeated Idaho 4-2.  The Aggies will take on the winner of the Boise State-Fresno State match tomorrow for the WAC title.

Boise State and Fresno State are about to get underway at Appleton, 1 1/2 hours late.  Plenty of time to get down there and root for the Broncos!

Georgia Has Lost More Talent Than Boise State

Much has been made of Boise State losing wide receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis.  However, as this year's NFL Draft proves, the Georgia Buldogs' roster has been depleted and created holes for the 2011 team more so than for Boise State.

The Broncos have only lost three NFL-quality players while Georgia has lost a whopping six and the draft isn't over.

Boise State and Georgia open up the 2011 season at the Chick Fil-A Kickoff at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Georgia has lost a first-rounder, two third-rounders, two fourth-rounders and a seventh-rounder to the NFL.  Wide receiver A.J. Green went in the first round, fellow wideout Kris Durham went in the fourth, essentially balancing out the loss at wide receiver for Boise State, defensive end Justin Houston was drafted in the third, guard Clint Boling went in the fourth round today and fullback Shaun Chapas was drafted in the seventh round.

Lady Broncos Hold On For Wild 12-9 Win Over #24 Fresno State

Boise State's softball team swept the #24 Fresno State Bulldogs with an exciting 12-9 win at Mountain Cove Field in Boise.

Here is how it happened:

After two narrow losses to the Boise State softball team, Fresno State has come storming back with 2 in the first and 1 in the second to take a 3-0 lead on Boise State.

Update:  Kellie Caplan's walk, the third issued by Fresno pitcher Mackenzie Oakes, forced in Kelly Sweeney from third as the bases were loaded.  Boise State has gotten one of those runs back,a 3-1 ballgame.  Then, a Fresno State error allowed both Tazz Weatherly and Megan Harvey to score.  Both runs were unearned but have given Boise State the tie at 3-3.

Still tied at 3 in the fourth but Fresno is threatening.  And two hits combined with two errors have led to two runs.  Boise State has gotten one of those back with a leadoff home run by Megan Harvey in the bottom of the fourth.  Tazz Weatherly reached on an error but there is one out and the Broncos trail 5-4. 

In Boise State's fifth, Lela Work's home run with Christina Capobianco aboard has put Boise State ahead 6-5. Boise State wasn't done, however.  The Broncos may have set some records in the inning.  After Work's long ball, Megan Harvey walked, Brittany Barcellos pinch ran for her.  Tazz Weatherly lined a single and Kellie Caplan produced a bunt single to load the bases.  Holly Bourke singled, driving in Barcellos and Weatherly.  Mackenzie Whyte singled and Allie Crump walked to re-load the bases.  Devon Bridges walked to force in Bourke with the fifth run of the inning.  Boise State had now batted around in the inning as Capobianco singled in two more runs (Whyte and Crump).  Work walked to load the bases again and a walk to Harvey forced in the eighth run of the inning.

Fresno State has responded with a two-run homer of their own in the fifth.  The Bulldogs got two more in the 7th and threatened to get more but Boise State's Aubray Zell shut the door, preserving the win.

Boise State is 15-3 in the WAC and 31-15 overall.  Fresno State falls to 13-4 and 29-13.  New Mexico State and Boise State are now in a virtual tie for the WAC lead pending NM State's doubleheader with Hawai'i tonight.  The Aggies are 14-2 in conference and need a split to remain tied for first. 

Boise State and New Mexico State will play a three-game series in Las Cruces next weekend that will decide the regular season champion.

Boise State's Brandyn Thompson Drafted By Washington

Boise State cornerback Brandyn Thompson has been chosen by the Washington Redskins with the 10th pick of the seventh round.  Thompson is the 45th player from Boise State to go in the NFL Draft.





Thompson's selection ties the 2011 Draft for second all-time in drafting Boise State players.  The record is four chosen in the 2007 NFL Draft, while this draft's selection of three Broncos is tied with the 1974, 1975 and 1976 NFL Drafts, in which three Boise State players were chosen in each.  Titus Young was chosen by Detroit in the 2nd round while Austin Pettis went in the third round to the St. Louis Rams.

To date, four players who played in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl win for Boise State over TCU have moved on to the NFL.  Safety Kyle Wilson was chosen in the first round last year by the New York Jets, and now Young, Pettis and Thompson.

Thompson will be etched in Bronco lore forever with his startling interception of TCU quarterback Andy Dalton early in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.  Thompson may be soft-spoken and much-liked off the field, but when he puts on a uniform, he means business and he is a constant threat to pick off a pass.

Brandyn played as a true freshman in 2007 as a backup defensive back and special teams force.  He recorded 16 tackles, including a season-high five at Hawai’i . 

In 2008, Thompson intercepted three passes against Hawai’i , second-most in one game in school history.  He appeared on Phil Steele’s All-WAC second team.  Brandyn had 54 tackles, 38 solo, sixth best on the Bronco defense.  He also had five tackles for loss and four interceptions.  Thompson led Boise State with 10 solo tackles and two assisted tackles in the Broncos’ win over Oregon .  He was credited with 11 tackles against New Mexico State.

Last year, Thompson started in all 14 games and was named Defensive Player of the Game at the Fiesta Bowl.  Thompson finished the game with seven tackles and two interceptions, including the one he returned untouched 51 yards for Boise State ’s first score.  Brandyn finished with 45 tackles, 29 unassisted, and led the Broncos with six interceptions (9th all-time).  Thompson also had three pass breakups.  He recorded five tackles and two picks vs. Idaho and also had five tackles vs. UC-Davis , Louisiana Tech and Nevada .  Following the Fiesta Bowl win, Thompson was named to CBSSports.com’s All-Bowl Team.

Brandyn had 31 tackles this past season, two for loss, with three interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and two recoveries.

In his career, Thompson had 146 tackles, seven for loss, with 13 interceptions (8th all-time at Boise State ) and 16 pass breakups. 


Congrats BT!

WAC Commissioner's Cup Standings Following Tennis

With Fresno State's dramatic win at the WAC women's tennis championships in Boise, plus their win in the men's championship, the Bulldogs are definitely in the hunt for the Cup.  The margin Boise State has right now is deceiving.  A., Boise State is seeded next to last in men's golf, B., Boise State is seeded last in women's track and C., Boise State doesn't have a baseball team.  

Note:  The first numbers listed for each school include the point totals for the regular season and for those teams who have been eliminated so far--they do not include points for the teams still alive in men's tennis.  The points in parenthesis represent the low and high point totals each school can receive pending play this weekend.  These Standings now include the results in both tennis championships.  Boise State losing to Fresno State twice today leaves the door open for Fresno to win the Cup.  (Remember that based on current projections, 91.25 points will win the Cup.)


I will have updated Cup Projections following the tennis championships.


1.  Boise State 80.50
2.  Utah State 63.50
3.  Fresno State 62.00
4.  New Mexico State 59.75 
5.  Idaho 52.25
6.  Nevada 49.75 
7.  Hawai'i 44.00
8.  San Jose State 39.75
9.  Louisiana Tech  35.50 

Boise State Squeaks By Fresno State 3-2

Another great game from Fresno State and Boise State.  It was a seesaw affair at Boise's Mountain Cove Field today and Boise State was able to prevail 3-2. 

Here's how it happened:

Once again, Fresno State has jumped ahead of Boise State in their important series that could decide the regular season WAC softball championship.  The Bulldogs lead 1-0 in the 2nd with Boise State batting.

Just as in last night's game, however, Boise State has tied it with a homer.  This time, Christina Capobianco's leadoff blast in the bottom of the third has tied the game at 1.

Fresno managed a run in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.  Mackenzie Whyte has doubled down the line in Boise State's half of the inning.  Allie Crump, who is on the mound for Game One, was able to come through in the clutch with a single to score Whyte with the game-tying run.  2-2, Fresno State and Boise State after four and 1/2 innings at Boise's Mountain Cove Field,  and the game couldn't be more even with four hits for each side as well.

Bottom of the fifth--Kelly Sweeney has hit a leadoff homer.  Boise State leads 3-2.  No more runners in the Broncos' half so it remains 3-2 after five innings.

Fresno State got a hit in the top of the sixth but that was all.  Through 5 1/2, it's Boise State 3, Fresno State 2.  The winner moved within half a game of first-place New Mexico State.

The game has moved to the top of the 7th.  Fresno State has one out and Bronco pitcher Allie Crump is trying to shut the door with Boise State still clinging to a 3-2 lead.  However, Diane Runge has reached on an error that allowed her to get all the way to third.  Still one out.  Crump able to get a ground out that could not score the run.  Two outs.  And Crump was able to get Haley Gilleland to fly out to end the game.  Clutch pitching for the Bronco hurler.

The second game of the doubleheader begins shortly.

No More News from NFL on Boise State

The Boise State Senior Class that went 38-2 to set a modern NCAA record has so far produced two draft picks, Titus Young in the second round and Austin Pettis in the third.  Lots of safeties being chosen, none of them named Jeron Johnson.  I'll have news just as soon as another Bronco is taken.

Fresno State Edges Boise State 4-3 for WAC Women's Tennis Title

This was bound to be a heartbreaker. 

 Fresno State grabbed the doubles point in the 2011 WAC Women's Tennis Championship match and seemingly was in command with a 3-1 lead.  But Boise State's Elyse Edwards and Sandy Vo stormed back to tie the match at 3 apiece in this, the sixth consecutive year that Boise State and Fresno State have battled for the WAC title.  Thus, it all came down to the match at No. 2 singles between Laura Pola of Fresno State and Sonia Klamczynska of Boise State. 

Pola won a tough first set 7-5 but Klamczynska came back for a 7-6 win in the second set with a 10-8 tiebreaker to thank.  Sonia grabbed a 4-2 lead in the third set but wasn't able to put Pola away.  The Fresno star rallied to tie and then defeat Klamczynska 7-5 in the deciding set to give her team the WAC Championship.

 
Boise State and its biggest rival, Fresno State, are on the court for the WAC Women's Tennis Championship.  After just one year in Boise, the trophy returns to Fresno, California, where the Bulldogs have dominated women's tennis in the WAC for the last decade. 

Congrats to Fresno--the 2011 WAC Champs!

Here's how it happened:


As expected, regular season champion Fresno State won the doubles point in easy fashion.  For the Broncos to get the upset, they'll have to play above their heads in singles.


I don't think Megale can win at #1 singles, so the match will be decided at No.s 2-6.  Pietzuch has come through at No. 5 singles to tie the match.  Four Broncos were able to win their first sets, and I think Klamczynska may be needed at #2, so it's important that she comes storming back.


Yep, Jaspar lost her second set, and Megale lost badly 6-1, 6-2.  So either Stephanie or Klamczynska needs to win for Boise State to repeat--and these middle sets are taking a long time.  They could go either way.

Jaspar has been beaten despite winning the first set 6-3.  Sonia indeed needs to win--in fact the Broncos have to win all remaining matches.  Edwards has lost her second set 5-7.  The Dawg women came to play today.

Well, Vo has come through at No. 6 singles, but the Broncos have a long ways to get out from the hole they are in.  Klamczynska coming back to take the second set gives Boise State a chance.  That was a hard-fought one that was about as close as it gets.  Now up to her and Edwards to win in the third set.

Edwards has come back from a disappointing second set to win her match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.  The match is tied at 3 apiece and, as predicted above, it will turn on the No. 2 singles match between Laura Pola of Fresno State and Sonia Klamczynska of Boise State.  It's a shame that either team has to lose this one.

At last check, Klamczynska had a 4-2 lead in set three.  That was half an hour ago, so either the scorekeeper went to sleep or Pola has gotten a break to extend the match.  I'll try to find out what has happened.


#72 Fresno State 4, #70 Boise State 3
Apr 30, 2011 at Boise, Idaho (BOAS Indoor Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. #55 Marianne Jodoin (FSU) def. Lauren Megale (BSU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Laura Pola (FSU) def. Sonia Klamczynska (BSU) 7-5, 6-7 (8-10), 7-5
3. Melissa McQueen (FSU) def. Stephanie Jasper (BSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Elyse Edwards (BSU) def. Bianca Modoc (FSU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
5. Marlena Pietzuch (BSU) def. Olga Kirpicheva (FSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Sandy Vo (BSU) def. Mary Abby Hayley (FSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Laura Pola/Marianne Jodoin (FSU) def. Lauren Megale/Marlena Pietzuch (BSU) 8-1
2. Melissa McQueen/Olga Kirpicheva (FSU) def. Sonia Klamczynska/Elyse Edwards (BSU) 8-4
3. Stephanie Jasper/Sandy Vo (BSU) vs. Mary Abby Hayley/Bianca Modoc (FSU) 5-3, unfinished

Match Notes
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (5,1,3,6,4,2)